President Russell M. Nelson and members of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue to welcome invited guests to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City. Despite their demanding schedules leading a global Christian faith, they meet dignitaries regardless of their race, religion or political affiliation.
- President-Russell-M.-Nelson-greets-Edna-Adan-from-Somaliland,-November-2021
- President-Russell-M.-Nelson-welcomes-Somaliland-guests-to-Church-headquarters,-November-2021
- The-First-Presidency-with-Elder-Mark-S.-Palmer-with-Somaliland-delegation,-November-2021
- Elder-J.-Christopher-Lansing-presents-small-gift-to-guests-from-Somaliland,-November-2021
- Somaliland-refugees-meet-delegation-at-Welfare-Square,-November-2021.
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The visit of a delegation from Somaliland on November 17, 2021, was no exception. Somaliland is a territory striving for sovereignty, independence and recognition. The high-level delegation comprised Essa Abdirahme Kayd (Somaliland’s current foreign minister), Mr. Bashir Goth, (the republic’s ambassador) and Edna Adan (a former foreign minister). They visited Salt Lake City for a variety of meetings and spent time with Church leaders, including Church President and Prophet Russell M. Nelson.
“As a Church we stand for peace and the brotherhood of man,” President Nelson said. “What you have done in Somaliland is an island of freedom. Keep the commandments and the Lord will bless you!”
Responding, Mrs. Adan said, “the Qur’an teaches goodness, and we believe we are doing what God wants us to do.”
Gifts were exchanged and support offered. All left with a greater sense of fraternity and peace. (See this resource about what the Church is doing to help Latter-day Saints can better understand their Muslim friends.)
Another important interaction was a visit with Sister Sharon Eubank, president of Latter-day Saint Charities. They spoke of the needs in Somaliland. Elder Joseph W. Sitati, President of the Africa Central Area, is expected to visit Somaliland soon. After his visit, more discussion will take place about how to support the people of this fledgling nation.
The delegation also stopped by several Church sites. One of these was Welfare Square, where they met two Somaliland refugee women who work at the humanitarian center. Tears flowed as they greeted each other warmly and spoke in their native tongues. The refugee women invited the dignitaries to their humble homes for dinner.